I want to introduce a friend of mine to Stargate, but i thought that the movie was really too dreary for her taste (personally, I love the movie, but...). Also, I've been told that "Children of the Gods" isn't a good episode to introduce the series with. What episode from season 1 (including CotG) would you recommend I start her off on?

Well, first you say, "Friend, this is stargate SG-1. Stargate SG-1 this is Friend" ;-)

Tough to say since I haven't seen those eps for a few years, but from what I can remember possibly one of the following episodes:
The Nox
Brief Candle
Thor's Hammer
The Torment of Tantalus
Bloodlines
Solitudes
with perhaps Torment of Tantalus first, while Brief Candle & Solitudes jocky for second. (Although if I watched them again, who knows?)

I did consider There But For The Grace Of God, but IIRC it helps to be familiar with who the characters were to get that one.

Yeah, TbftGoG is probably the best season 1 episode, but it doesn't really work if you don't know the characters.

My two penn’orth, and not wishing to contradict Keith at all, just giving a (slightly) differing opinion:

COTG is the obvious choice because it introduces all the characters but it is long and if Friend hasn’t seen the movie, this episode might not grab her attention. It depends what you think would appeal to Friend’s tastes - Hathor is a good introduction to the Goa’uld; The Nox has quite a bit of action and is good for a laugh if she has also seen Deep Space 9; Fire and Water is quite dramatic but there’s a lot of dialogue and the fishy monster might look a bit corny; Torment of Tantalus is – in my opinion – one of the most beautiful episodes ever and gives a good introduction to the background of the Stargate.

I think, though, that I’d recommend Thor’s Hammer as it has a fair bit of action, plus some good background explanation of why humans are on other worlds (and if Friend loves it, you can promptly show her Thor’s Chariot to keep her interest going!); or possibly Singularity provided you’ll be sitting with Friend and explaining any background that she needs to know.

I agree that TbftGoG would be too complicated for someone who doesn’t already know everyone but is worth putting high on the list of “What to Show Friend Next, Once I’ve Got Her Hooked!”

What contradiction? My choices were based on trying to remember shows I haven't seen in 4 years.

I considered Hathor, but most of what I could remember was eye candy and I wasn't sure how Friend would react to that.

I didn't consider Fire & Water or Singularity because I've never seen them.

Simple as that.

Like I said, Keith, I wasn’t trying to contradict you, just offering some thoughts. Ask ten people what episodes Merat should show Friend and you’d get ten different opinions. And we actually agreed on a few episodes anyway!

To Addict A Friend:

Earlier, I asked what first season episode to show a friend to get them hooked. Now, I am asking what episode from any season would you show a friend to get them addicted to SG1?

The Penguin Goa'uld episode. ;-) ;-)

Do please remember that the Penguin Goa'uld episode would only be a good episode to show to new viewers if they don't get upset by the sight of exploding herring ...

You mean there are people who don't like the sight of exploding herring? 8-o

Yes! People for the Ethical Treatment of Herring wish to wipe out this appalling and barbaric practice! To raise money for this we are putting on a concert. If you want to stop people blowing up poor, defenseless fish, support Herring Aid.

I’ll definitely go to the Herring Aid gig as long as Daniel Jackson promises to turn up in what he was wearing during the Penguin Goa’uld episode.

And to raise extra money, he could then auction his socks ...

Plans for the Herring Aid concert are now well underway. The theme song for the concert will, of course, be “Salmon Chanted Evening.”

Music will be provided by the following artists:
Seal
Tommy Roe
Hootie & the Blowfish
Blue Oyster Cult
Ray Charles
Perchy Sledge
Shirley Bass-ey
Salmon and Garfunkel
Bob Marley and the Whalers
The Carp-enters
Bream, featuring the reunion of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker
The Plaice, featuring Sting and Stewart Copeland

There’ll also be a big session of sole music.

Daniel Jackson’s appearance will be heralded by the song ‘Daniel’, sung by Eelton John.

The evening will be rounded off with communal singing of “Whale meat again.”

Tickets are reasonably priced at twenty-sick-squid each, available from the usual address.

(Umm – I’m beginning to flounder now, so I think now’s a good time to clam up …)

Couldn't they get Aqua, man?

Hope everyone in the crowd is prepared to do the wave.

I'm an Aqua fan
with my Aqua man
They're fantastic
I am plastic...

Some more acts just confirmed:
The Eels
Fish (ex lead singer of Marillion)
Ocean Colour Scene
The Waterboys
CHUBby Checker
ROACHford
Kylie MINNOWgue
Geri HALLIBUT - ex Spice Girl

What was the name of that episode where the Tolan(sp?) were introduced? My grandmother watched this show every week, and sometimes she'd have it on on nights when my Dad and I went over to her place for a visit, and that episode is the first one I remember being really interested in. It did it for me, maybe it would work for others.

You mean Enigma?

That’s the one. Season 1, Episode 116, if you’re looking for it on video/DVD.

Callie, your Handy-Dandy Episode Guide™ on this board is a huge help in finding those things out.

I found the best wasy to convert my girlfriend (who, for the record, lives in Canada while I live in the UK) was to mention it every so often in a complimentary light, and get her to watch Children of the Gods when her sci-fi channel starts Showing it from the beginning, and based on the strength of that get her to watch every episode from then on! (so far she's up to Seth )